Includes bibliographical references (pages 221-239) and index.

In her exploration of consumerism and kids, Donna Bee-Gates helps us all understand how a culture of instant gratification influences spending habits and erodes self-worth. She argues that placating kids with material rewards is detrimental to social and psychological development. Similarly, she reveals that kids often seek out material goods as emotional compensation and fall prey to corporate strategies that lure them in as loyal consumers at an early age. Bee-Gates brings together cutting-edge research and interviews to show that a healthy childhood sometimes means a simpler one - a childhood that values good communication and interaction with peers and family. -- BOOK JACKET.

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